An avocation is something a person does in addition to a principal occupation, especially for pleasure. In its earliest uses, avocation referred to a calling away or diversion, as from a more important or serious task, function, or duty. The suggestion of being called away persists in modern usage. A person’s vocation (“occupation or profession”) might be accounting, but they may feel called to paint. Should they do so in their free time, painting would be their avocation.

When desires, expectations, or needs are satisfied, they are fulfilled. A hearty meal might satisfy one's appetite (nice and simple!). The verb appease is used a little differently: to appease someone is to calm, pacify, or soothe them. The core idea behind appease is that of preserving or obtaining peace, but the term is not without conflict: sometimes appease suggests making anxious overtures or undue concessions, perhaps at the expense of what one feels is right, to satisfy demands of powerful people or entities.

No need to check, restrain, or even curb your enthusiasm for today’s Synonym of the Day. To curb something is to restrain or control it. This meaning is rooted in the noun sense of curb, a bit used to control a horse. However, the verb is most commonly used to talk about restricting or limiting negative forces such as violence, corruption, or pollution.